Cub Scout Ranks

RANK ADVANCEMENT
"Rank advancement is one of the methods we use to achieve Scouting's aims - character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness. Everything a Cub does to advance is designed to achieve these aims and aid in his personal growth. Advancement is the process by which a boy progresses from badge to badge, learning new skills as he goes. We should remember that badges are simply a means to an end - and not an end in themselves."
 
ENTER, THE BOBCAT
Regardless of a boy's age, the Bobcat Badge the first step in a boy's progression after registering as a Cub Scout. Among other requirements, the Bobcat must learn the the Cub Scout Handshake, the the Cub Scout Salute, and how to give the the Cub Scout Sign.
 
NEXT, HE'S A WOLF!

Next, the Wolf Badge is earned by boys who have completed first grade, or who are eight years old. As a Cub Scout completes his achievements towards the Wolf (and Bear) ranks, the Den Leader recognizes a boy's hard work with the Immediate Recognition patch and beads. This is used as an incentive towards continued achievement.

Recognizing a Cub's Progress on the Wolf and Bear Trails

Your boy doesn't have to wait until he completes his entire Wolf or Bear trail before being recognized for his work. As a Wolf, when he completes any three achievements, his den leader can present the Progress Toward Ranks patch to him. It's a diamond with a leather (or plastic) thong attached and a gold bead attached to one end. It is worn on the button of the right shirt pocket. Each time the boy completes three achievements he will receive another gold bead. After he gets his fourth gold bead, he will receive his Wolf badge at a pack meeting.

As a Bear, red beads are presented for each three Bear achievements earned. After he gets his fourth red bead, he will receive his Bear badge at a pack meeting. Cub Scouts may continue to wear this emblem after ranks are earned until they become Webelos Scouts.

As your boy completes the requirements for the achievements on the Wolf and Bear trails, be sure to review his work and sign his book in the place for Akela's OK. At his next den meeting, he should show his book to his den leader who will record his progress and sign the book on the line provided.

After a boy earns his Wolf badge, he works on Wolf Electives which consist of special projects and activities. Completing them allows him to earn Arrow Points to display on his uniform under his Wolf badge.

ARROW POINTS - FOR WOLVES AND BEARS !
Electives are not like achievements. A Wolf or Bear Cub Scout can pick any requirement he likes from the electives and do it. When he has completed ten elective requirements, he has earned his first Arrow Point - a gold one. Only one gold arrow point may be earned during the Wolf year, and one during the Bear year. It is worn 3/4" below and centered under the current rank badge (Wolf and Bear) as shown above.

After earning a Gold Arrow Point, a Cub may complete ten more requirements to earn a Silver Arrow Point. Under his Wolf or Bear badge, he may wear as many Silver Arrow Points as he earns. They are worn in rows of two below, centered, and touching the Gold Arrow Point or previously earned Silver Arrow Points for each rank (see above.)
 
FOR BEARS ONLY! There are slight differences between the Wolf and Bear Arrow Points rules. In the Bear program, achievement requirements now follow the same rules as the elective requirements. Each one is a separate project. The achievements sometimes require completion of an elective to satisfy a particular requirement. As such, after completing all of his achievements a Bear Cub can go back to his electives and use any requirement he did not count toward his Bear badge. Remember these important rules:

  • A Bear can mix requirements from electives and unused achievements in any way to get the ten he needs for each Arrow Point.
  • He may earn Arrow Points from the Bear Cub Scout Book until he becomes a Webelos Scout.
  • He may work on these electives all through his Bear year, but he cannot receive Arrow Points until he has earned your Bear badge.
  • Any achievement requirement that he has completed to earn his Bear badge cannot be used again to earn Arrow Points, but there are many more to choose from.

There is also a very special award that Cub Scouts can earn. By completing a specific set of conservation-related achievements and electives a Wolf Cub can earn International Scouting's World Conservation Award. Earning this award allows Scouts of all ages to heighten their awareness and appreciation of nature and the environemnt.
 
AND THEN A BEAR...

The Bear Badge can be earned by boys who have completed second grade, or who are nine years old. As a Bear-aged boy progresses, he too can earn the Immediate Recognition patch and beads. One of the Bear achievements involves earning the "Whittling Chip" wallet card. Earning this card shows that a Bear has learned the fundamentals of knife safety. After earning the Bear badge, a special collection of age-appropriate Bear Electives are also available to allow Bear Cub's to earn Arrow Points too!

There is also a special set of requirements to allow a Bear Cub to earn the World Conservation Award.
 
IN 4TH GRADE HE ENTERS WEBELOS

The Webelos Badge is for boys who have completed third grade, or who are ten years old. The Webelos rank is the first step in a boy's transition towards a Boy Scout troop. As he completes the requirements in the Webelos Scout Book, he will work on Activity Badges. These are age-appropriate projects for older Cub Scouts. Activity badges are sorted into five discipline-related groups. They are the Community Group, the Mental Skills Group, the Outdoor Group, the Physical Skills Group, and the Technology Group. Activity Badges can be displayed on the front of the Webelos cap or on the Webelos Colors. During this period, the Webelos Scout should also begin to attend meetings led by adults, and become more familiar with the Boy Scout requirements.

After earning the Webelos badge, the Webelos Scout may recieve the Compass Points emblem and gold 'devices' to pin on it as an incentive to complete additional Activity Badges.

Completion of the Forester, Outdoorsman, and Naturalist Activities Badges, and completion of a special consevation project allows a Webelos Scout to join the Wolves and Bears in earning the World Conservation Award as well.
 
THEN CUB SCOUTING'S APEX... THE ARROW OF LIGHT
After a boy has completed the fourth grade and earned the Webelos badge, the next step on the Webelos trail to becoming a Boy Scout is earning the Arrow of Light Award. This is the highest award a Cub Scout can earn, and is the only Cub Scout badge that can be worn on the Boy Scout Uniform. As a boy works on the Arrow of Light, he gets a chance to practice some Scout skills that he has already learned, earn more Activity Badges, and REALLY learn what a Boy Scout is. Because this award is so special, a special ceremony should always be performed by the Pack!
 
BOY SCOUTS, HERE HE COMES!

Finally, a boy is ready to become a Boy Scout! This has been a long road filled with fun and learning. Working with your Pack's "Troop-Webelos Resource Person" you should prepare Webelos Scouts and their families for a good Boy Scout experience.